"We have groundbreaking development in renewable energy technology in Scotland, and it has huge future export potential for us.

"Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Development, the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service and Scottish Development International are all working extremely hard at the moment to encourage Scottish businesses to think bigger in their sales ambitions."

Scottish Development International (SDI) has helped more than 900 Scottish businesses develop overseas markets - 100 more than a year ago.

Sdi said that efforts to increase inward investment in Scotland and develop export opportunities contributed £325million in added gross value to the Scottish economy last year.

Anne MacColl, SDI's interim chief executive, said: "Scotland's exports are growing and we export more than we import, indicating the positive contribution of our trading performance to Scotland's GDP."

Scotland's imports rose by 3.7 per cent to £11.07bn.

Scottish exports outperformed those from the rest of the UK, according to the latest figures.

Statistics from HM Revenue & Customs show Scotland's exports were up 5.2 per cent to almost £15billion in the 12 months to June 30.

Manufacturing, engineering and food and drink were among the industry sectors which performed well.

The Scottish performance compared to a four per cent rise in exports in England and double digit falls in Wales and Northern Ireland. The total value of UK exports increased four per cent to £242.4bn.

Dr Peter Hughes, from Scottish Engineering, said:"In the last 10 years Scottish manufacturing and engineering exports have been around £8bn a year on average, which is roughly four times the value of the entire Scottish drinks industry exports.

"Europe, North America and China are all very strong export markets for Scottish